Editor’s note: In this letter to a Christian brother imprisoned for his faith, Early Rain elder Li Yingqiang thinks about what it means for his dear friend to follow Christ inside the detention center. He admires his friend’s faith, and is encouraged because they are united by faith and through prayer, even though they cannot be together physically. Li does not know if he will one day have to walk the same path as his friend, but he trusts that God’s grace is sufficient, no matter the road ahead.
Soldiers in the Same Army
My Elder Brother in Christ:
How are you faring in the detention center? Today marks three days since you were dispatched to the front lines of gospel battle. Although I have longed to write you, words fail me. Yesterday, as my wife and I went to pick up [another brother] from prison, I was reminded of the day I left you. Just a few afternoons later, you were in custody.
It has been three years. During this time, God formed us into a special combat team, fighting a noble battle together. Though it seems we are separated by mountains and rivers, by walls and barbed wire, we are actually like an air force squadron. Every day, we take off from the same base, follow our Commander’s instructions, carry out missions in different locations, and then return to the same base to refuel, rest, and prepare for the next sortie.
How are you faring in the detention center? Today marks three days since you were dispatched to the front lines of gospel battle.
After all these days, sometimes I struggle to recall your face – but I always remember your fiery passion. (Also your gray hair, and your fatigue and insomnia.) Although time has stolen some memories, a deeper familiarity, affection, unity, and love have grown.
A Mission to Expose Deception
You turned 60 this year. Although you are older than me, I often feel you are among the “young and strong” of Chinese house churches. Your thought, action, and vitality are at their prime. We have not met face-to-face in three years, but I have read your poems. I know your thoughts are still with churches across China: how to reform the church, how education should evolve, and how to implement missions.
We pray together every day at 5 p.m., our “aerial refueling station.” Although I cannot speak to you, I say everything to our Father in heaven, who has the power to make my heart known to you.
Your mission is arduous and significant. Some might think your main job is lobbing “gospel grenades” at others in the detention center, breaking down the fortresses of sin in their heart and leading them to surrender to our merciful Sovereign. I think your mission is even more crucial and glorious.
For the past five or six years, the enemy has been executing a sinister plan against us. They want the Chinese church to assimilate: to outwardly be loyal to Christ, but inwardly to bow to earthly kings and idols. This strategy is called the “Sinicization of Christianity.” It uses “legalization” as a violent weapon, silencing and imprisoning those who dare to speak the truth. It uses “localization” as a guise, trying to “remove eschatology, kingdom theology, and the cross.” These lies have deceived many honest hearts, leading them to compromise and retreat until the “Sinicized gospel” no longer challenges hearts or heals the despairing. This strategy is turning Christianity into an impotent religion, a mere placebo or spiritual massage.
When you lost your freedom, God chose you to witness to a gospel that brings true freedom. You don’t witness only to those in prison with you: as a representative of the Chinese church, you stand against this strategy to eradicate the church. They prefer not to put many believers in jail. Instead, through deceit and intimidation, they subdue the church and change her allegiance.
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We pray together every day at 5 p.m., our “aerial refueling station.” Although I cannot speak to you, I say everything to our Father in heaven, who has the power to make my heart known to you.
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Your uncompromising stance and willingness to be imprisoned for Christ and suffer for the gospel exposes these lies and renders their violence ineffective. More churches, more pastors, and more brothers and sisters are unafraid to lose their freedom for their faith. They are willing to pay the price, considering suffering for righteousness to be joy and glory. I believe God is using your faith, loyalty, joy, and prayer to bless many churches.
Suffering that Leads to Christ
Yet you have not only blessed the church, but all of Chinese society. You are a lighthouse lit by the Lord. Billions will see your light and give glory to our Father God. In today’s China, many conscientious people suffer. Indeed, every citizen suffers. Yet only one group suffers, not because of righteousness or sins, but because of the freedom, righteousness, love, and grace they have in Christ. This suffering is not self-righteous, but is powerful, peaceful, and hopeful. This suffering exposes the absurdity of this generation and leads people to Jesus – who through his suffering, brings salvation.
You recently wrote a poem titled “Reflections in Regulated Verse.” In it, you wrote:
“For over a year, court’s been open, yet judgement is not passed. Why the delay?
Long detained without decision, what’s the reason for this stay?…
I do not expect that justice exists among men, but know heaven’s court seeks to right the wrongs.
My only wish is for the ends of the earth to brim with lamps. In songs of praise, freedom returns anew.”
The charges against you are ludicrous, and the judicial process lawless. But we are not pessimistic, and do not despair. The longer they delay without going to trial, the more we know that – by God’s grace – you have not compromised or retreated. Their schemes have not succeeded, and they are at their wit’s end.
Recently, the path ahead has felt perilous and narrow. I do not know if Christ intends for me to join you in prison, or to continue waiting for your triumphant return.
The Unknown Path Ahead
I thank God for his mercy and unfailing presence these three years you have been in jail. Many times I have thought the Lord might change my battlefield, and allow me to enter the rest and harvest you have entered. Yet God keeps me outside, letting me experience his manifold grace and trials. I am able to see the great things he has done and is doing in the Chinese church.
Recently, the path ahead has felt perilous and narrow. I do not know if Christ intends for me to join you in prison, or to continue waiting for your triumphant return. Either way, I am deeply aware of the sufficiency of God’s grace as he cares for and guides you. I know he will do the same for me. May his will be done.
Tomorrow is the Lord’s Day, a day of holy rest. So, I lay down my pen and look forward to worshipping tomorrow morning – worshipping with you, the angels, saints in heaven, and our great king.
Your weak brother in Christ,
Yingqiang
Li Yingqiang is an elder of Early Rain Covenant Church in Chengdu. He and his wife have two children.
Pray for Chinese believers imprisoned because they are following Jesus.
